‘Support Recovery’ License Plate Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk

Senator Robert Singer and Assemblyman Sean Kean Sponsor the Measure

A bill sponsored by District 30 lawmakers Senator Robert Singer and Assemblyman Sean Kean to authorize the issuance of “Support Recovery” license plates was approved by the Senate today and moves to the governor for consideration.

“Allowing drivers to purchase a special license plate will help provide lifesaving sober-living facilities,” said Singer (R-30). “Addiction does not discriminate. This disease has affected countless families in every neighborhood across the state. These plates will increase awareness and help educate residents about the dangers of substance abuse.”

Under the bill (A268/S469), the State Motor Vehicle Commission will make special plates available to drivers for a $50 application and an annual $10 renewal. No taxpayer money will be used.

The revenue will go into the “Support Recovery License Plate Fund,” to pay for the design, production and administration of the program. Once the costs are satisfied, the proceeds will fund permanent and temporary sober living housing for recovering New Jersey residents.

“Sadly, many New Jersey families have been touched by addiction.  The ‘Support Recovery’ license plate serves as an outward signal to individuals struggling with addiction that people care, and raises awareness about drug and alcohol addiction. The money generated from the plates will go toward sober housing for people in recovery,” said Assemblyman Sean Kean (R-30).

The lawmakers introduced this legislation after Parents in Connection for Kids Inc. (P.I.C.K.) Awareness, a New Jersey nonprofit, expressed the need to provide awareness and resources to parents of children with substance abuse disorder. The founder, Donna DeStefano, created the nonprofit after coping with her daughter’s struggles with drugs.

“I’m thrilled that ‘N.J. Support Recovery License Plates’ have bipartisan support in both the Assembly and the Senate. It shows that New Jersey is on the forefront of this epidemic, mission-oriented on addiction issues and that they welcome new strategies, solutions, and results,” DeStefano said. “This bill will bring a sorely needed sustainable funding model that will reduce homelessness as a barrier to recovery. It will provide sober living to indigent clients in an emergent or crisis situation suffering from substance use disorders and help this population with its recovery efforts. These License Plates will also raise awareness and reduce the ongoing stigma associated with this disease.”